As the country’s leader, I look out for the well-being of Rwandans”: President Kagame on the closure of alcohol manufacturing plants
President Paul Kagame addressed the issue of shutting down factories producing substandard alcohol, stating that Rwanda will never tolerate anything that endangers the lives of Rwandans—regardless of the source—and emphasized that those involved will continue to be pursued.
The Head of State made these remarks on August 24, 2026, during a press briefing.
President Kagame discussed the crackdown on substandard alcohol, noting that over 150 factories have been closed, the importation of 52 types of alcohol has been halted, and the importation of the chemical Ethanol has been suspended.
He stated that people should stop dwelling on the arbitrary comments made by others based on their own mindsets or personal preferences.
He said, “We might ask ourselves: does it kill people? Has it killed people? Anyone seeking the answer already has it; it kills people—it has killed countless people. It is not just a matter of two people dying today and one tomorrow… there are instances of 20, 30, or 50 deaths—sometimes nearly 100 in a single day; when you aggregate the total number of deaths over a year, you realize the magnitude of the human toll.” President Kagame stated that before prioritizing the concerns of factory owners, the health and lives of the people must be considered first.
He said, “The beverages that kill people do not all originate here; some are imported without meeting safety standards and cause fatalities. They kill in different ways: some cause death immediately or within a week, while others kill after a year, gradually destroying a person’s health until they eventually succumb.”
The Head of State expressed bewilderment at how anyone could support substandard alcoholic beverages—focusing on the factories and the people employed there—while ignoring the individuals whose lives are claimed daily by these products. He said, “What you are doing has killed people today, and it has killed others elsewhere at other times—I am referring to the same issue. You might ask, ‘What are you getting at?’ But beyond the fact that your actions are killing people, how is this country governed if it simply stands by and watches people die? What kind of country is that? Is that a country with a proper way of life?”
President Kagame addressed the arrest of officials from standards-regulating bodies, stating that they played a direct role in facilitating the production of substandard alcoholic beverages.
He said, “That is precisely why those responsible for standards oversight are being held accountable; after all, that is the very reason those institutions exist—to ensure that no activities kill people, but rather contribute to the improvement of people’s lives.”
“I suspect that some of these individuals are complicit—perhaps they are the ones involved in these industries, or the factory owners themselves are misleading them, allowing their products to slip through and end up killing people. That is my view, but they are the ones who must answer for it; no one else can answer on their behalf.”
President Kagame stated that a country cannot simply stand by and watch its people die; he emphasized that human life must take precedence over individual profit.
He said, “A country cannot watch its people die without anyone asking questions; the right question to ask is why people are dying, rather than wondering why the things killing them are being stopped.”
The Head of State noted that the government is prepared to confront those involved to ensure things are set right, as the proper course of action is well known.
He remarked, “People must fall into line as required; as for adopting practices and behaviors that kill people—wherever they source them from is their own business, and if others elsewhere have accepted them, that does not concern me.”
“As the country’s leader, my focus is on the nation and the Rwandan people, working with them so they can distinguish between what serves their interests and what does not. Therefore, anyone who wishes to flout the law or prioritize their own whims will have to contend with those responsible for enforcing order.” The Head of State responded to critics who question the way Rwanda is addressing the issue of substandard alcohol, telling them that this is a minor issue compared to the ultimate goal being pursued.
The factory known as Ingufu Gin Ltd has also been shut down.
Good details